In 1972 Dwayne Brittell began his architectural practice as a sole proprietor and in 1984 David Brittell began working in the office with his father in Forest Grove, Oregon. Following is a brief timeline of the history of what is now called Brittell Architecture Inc.

1972 Dwayne began his architectural practice

1984 David began working with his Father

1989 David started Brittell Graphics offering graphic design & drafting services to Dwayne Brittell Architect as well as others.

1991 David changed the name of his company to David Brittell Design & Construction in order to provide construction services as well.

1996 The business name was changed to Brittell Design Inc, Architecture & Planning. The construction branch was discontinued because the design business was having such success and that became the focus. The Firm moves to Newberg, Oregon.

2003 David Brittell left Newberg and moved to Longview Washington to expand the service area. His business was called TreeHouse Inc. Design & Development.

2008 David Brittell takes over as Principal Architect for both the Oregon and Washington branches. Dwayne Brittell continues as Senior Architect for the new company called "Brittell Architecture Inc." The firm now has a staff of seven.

2010 Dwayne Brittell retires from the business to pursue other interests. With David and his wife TerraSue, his brother Michael and sister Lisa all still part of the business, the Firm continues as a "Family Business". And so the legacy continues.

At one point in history, my design firm was called "TreeHouse Inc." While working under that name, I was asked many times "Do you build tree houses?' to which I would usually reply, "I would be happy to build you a tree house". Yet, I have a broader definition than most people, of a tree house. To me, a tree house is any dwelling built of wood. I believe that the tree is a wonderful resource that God has created for many different uses, both in nature and as a refined product.

Living in the Pacific Northwest all of my life, I have grown to especially appreciate the large evergreen trees (Douglas Fir, Cedar). I also have an appreciation for deciduous trees (Oak, Maple, Birch, Alder). Both the deciduous and the evergreen trees have different characteristics in nature and construction. For instance, in nature an evergreen tree provides continuous shade, both in the winter and the summer, while a deciduous tree provides shade in the summer but allows light to shine through its branches during the winter. Similarly, when refined for construction, the different trees have different uses. For instance, wood from evergreen trees is used for framing material since the trees grow straight and strong. Deciduous trees are used more in finish applications because or their durability and ability to be intricately carved.

Mankind has built structures with wood for as far back as history will take us. As a boy I built a number of 'treehouses' up in trees and sometimes on the ground. That is where I got my first taste of design as well as construction. The house that I grew up in was truly a 'treehouse.' The house was constructed on a steep hillside. My father, being an Architect, designed the home utilizing sixteen logs cantilevered from the ground as the foundation and main frame for the house. The interior of the house was finished in Alaskan Yellow Cedar. Almost everything you could see of the house, both the structure and finishes, were made from a tree.

As you can see I have adapted a much broader definition of the term tree house. I am enjoying designing and building 'TreeHouses' of a different kind.

Should you ask if we build tree houses, I will respond, "I would be happy to design and build you a 'TreeHouse', even one that goes in a tree."

-David Brittell

Our mission at Brittell Architecture Inc. is to provide our clients with services that will be valuable to them throughout the life of the project, not only during the design and construction phases, but for as long as the structure endures.